Daphne's Secret: He Never Knew

SRU HQ – Briefing Room

Spike pulled out his laptop and Sam and Ed joined him to review the intel. Greg went to speak with Holleran. Jules and Wordy were in quiet conversation.

Leah sat back and was in her own thoughts. She was constantly surprised by the actions and reactions in this team. She knew it would take time to become a full member; they had so much history together. Leah wondered at Sam's behaviors.

A small part of her wondered if he didn't have multiple personalities. In the space of the last few hours she had seen a competent and protective teammate, a brooding man, a little boy, a stiff as a board soldier and then back to skilled tactician. Her head was dizzy trying to keep up.

Leah really knew nothing of any of their histories. From the little she had seen today, his looked like the most complicated. She was surprised to hear he had been JTF2. She knew he was ex-military but that was all. She had mostly been partnered with Wordy or Ed and had barely spoken with Sam in the two weeks she was here.

Wordy was talking to Jules. They were worried about and discussing the early release contract very quietly.

Jules said softly "I know Sam said his father keeps bugging him about returning and he keeps turning him down. But I never thought he might actually be forced to return. That's not good."

Wordy replied "How could the General put that stipulation in Sam's contract especially after what happened with Matt? That's just wrong."

Leah had moved closer to them and overheard that so asked bluntly "Who is Matt, Blaze and Winds? Was Sam really JTF2? Why would a General care about Sam's leaving the military early?"

Jules just stared at Leah. She was trying really hard to integrate with the new teammate. But Leah had a habit of being too blunt, making awkward statements and generally asking questions Jules did not feel comfortable answering. Jules knew she was just trying to feel part of the team. But she believed Leah just pushed too hard too quickly into their personal space sometimes, like now.

Wordy saw Jules hackles rising. Yes Leah came off a bit abrasive but she meant well; she was trying to get to know the team. Sam didn't talk much about the past so he understood that she would be in the dark about what was happening.

He smiled at Leah and said "Lot's of history. Gonna take some time I'm afraid to get to know us. As for your questions I can tell you a few things, not everything is mine to tell. Yes Sam was JTF2. He joined us directly after leaving the military. Matt was Sam's best friend. Blaze is Captain Blain, he was in charge of Sam's unit. Winds was also in the unit."

Leah listened and realized he didn't answer a few of her questions so prodded again "You said was his best friend what happened? Also what about this General? I've never heard of anyone having a reactivation stipulation of that length. Is it a JTF2 thing?"

Wordy sighed "The General is Sam's father. They are a military family going back generations. So that is probably why."

Leah realized he still did not answer about Matt "So about Matt?"

Wordy got frustrated and it showed on his face. Didn't she hear he said some was not his to tell?

Jules saw Wordy's frustration, she felt it too and said in a clipped tone "Matt was in the same unit and died just before Sam left JTF2. You need to drop it at that for now." Jules rose and went to see how the planning session was progressing.

Leah looked to Wordy "Sorry I didn't realize ..."

Wordy had reigned in his frustration and stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder and said in his fatherly voice "Leah relax please, it is okay. But like I said, some things we know about each other are not ours to share. It will come in time. Just please give it time." He smiled.

Leah nodded and thought to herself, I did it again, pushed too hard too fast. Then she thought, wow Sam's dad is a General. That probably had to suck growing up and being in the military under a shadow like that. No wonder he left.

There was a knock on the briefing room side door. Ed went to answer it. Blaze and Winds strolled in.

"Blondie!" Winds yelled and pulled Sam into a bear hug. "Christ man it has been too long."

All three were grinning broadly. Blaze noticed the wonderful bruise and the bandage. Christ would he ever see that kid not injured.

Blaze pulled Blondie into a hug next and jokingly said "I see you are still using your head" as he poked the bruise.

Sam winced and pulled away then said sarcastically "Nice to see you too."

Winds saw the injuries now too and just shook his head telling himself, I just do not want to know. Then he took in the bruised state of most of the team and couldn't help himself "You all look like shit, what the hell happened?"

Blaze noticed the others now too including Greg who had just reentered the room. Damn he thought.

Spike answered for all of them laughing as he said "Hee Ran Long."

Blaze thought that is no answer but dropped it. The rest of his unit entered the room.

Getting down to business Blaze turned to Greg and said "Sergeant, my unit is at your disposal for the warrant call. Use us as you will. Afterwards we will assume custody of the missing operative. My unit and I have not been briefed beyond knowing Blondie had recognized a MIA operative that is the subject of your warrant call."

Without realizing it Sam said out loud "Shit he didn't tell him."

Blaze whipped around to face Blondie, his stance hard and rigid because the tone of Blondie's voice caused an instant gut rush. He firmly said "Who didn't tell me what?"

Sam flinched realizing he had spoken out loud. Sam wished he could dress down the General for leaving it up to Sam to tell Blaze. He steeled himself for many possible reactions; he wasn't exactly sure which would occur.

Mirroring voice and stance Sam said "The he is the General. The what is who the operative is."

Blaze eyed him cautiously not sure he was going to like what Blondie said because he could read nervousness in his eyes. He waited.

Stepping close to Blaze, Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. Then Sam said softly as he held out the photo for Blaze to see "I found Daphy."

Sam was blinking stars away from his eyes and looking up at Blaze, his jaw hurt. He was flat on his back and Blaze was straddling his chest his face inches from his yelling "Don't you fucking lie to me! She's dead!"

Crap he didn't see this as a potential reaction.

Winds, Hal and Angus were in the process of pulling Blaze off Blondie. Spike and Jules had rushed forward to help Sam.

Ed raged at Blaze "Just what the hell was that for?"

Blaze pulled out of his unit's grasp and paced back and forth. She was dead. He had said goodbye to his beautiful sister. His Daphy was dead for five years. How dare Blondie say such a thing? He of all people should know not to be so cruel. He knew what it was like to lose a baby sister.

With the support of Spike and Jules, Sam sat up then got to his feet unsteadily. He walked a little closer to Blaze, rubbed his jaw and said pleading "Blaze, I'm not lying. Please man, look at the picture. Look hard. Look close. Look past the short hair, imagine her long curly tresses. It's her eyes, her face. I would never forget those. Never! How could I ever forget Daphy's amazing eyes?"

Sam sat heavily in a chair and placed his head in his hands as Blaze continued to pace. Blaze needed to burn out the fire before he would listen.

Jules listened to Sam's pleading and wondered at his words. Was Daphne more to him than Blaze's sister? It sure the hell sounded like it. The way he had said he would never forget her amazing eyes. Sam had a thing for eyes.

When they had been dating he focused many of his compliments on her eyes. She had always thought they were just a dull brown. But the ways Sam described them when they were intimate made her feel special.

She walked to the window and looked out. Jules really needed a moment to stomp and crush the little green eyed envious monster that was growing in her. Sam was not hers so she had no right to feel jealousy of a relationship he may or may not have had in the past.

Blaze's rage was ebbing as the team and the unit stood watching.

Leah was more than a little shocked and wondered why the team was doing nothing but she decided to keep quiet for once and not step into something she apparently did not get.

Greg cleared his throat and said "Captain Blain, we need to get on with the briefing. Whether it is or is not Daphne Blain will be determined after we bring the woman into custody."

The use of his title brought Blaze to his wits. He looked to Greg first and said "You are absolutely right." He walked toward Blondie and saw that his face was still in his hands. He squatted down in front of him "Blondie, I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"

Jules and Leah were watching closely as Sam raised his head. They both noted there were tears in his eyes as he said "Nothing to forgive. I want it to be Daphy so very bad. If it is not I give you leave to pound the crap out of me for hurting you."

At the sight of his tears the green monster grew in Jules.

At the sight of tears Leah thought he has a soft side too?

Blaze nodded and said "I'll hold you to that. I know you know what it's like."

There were confused looks on Leah, Angus, Hal, Russ and Daniel's faces; none of them knew about Sam's little sister Sara.

Blaze continued "If it is Daphy I give you leave to pound the crap out of me for hurting you." He gently pulled his face up and inspected the large bright red area on Blondie's jaw where he had slugged him. "Gonna be an awesome bruise, ten to one it's gonna be bright purple in an hour."

Then he tousled the kids hair in a fatherly way as he stood and faced Greg "So briefing?"

Enroute to Daphne Warrant Call

The team had reviewed the plans then headed to the SUVs. Blaze and Hal rode with Ed and Greg. Winds and Russ rode with Sam and Leah. Daniel rode with Wordy and Jules. Angus rode with Spike in the command truck. There was minor chit chat in each vehicle but in the command truck Angus and Spike were deep in conversation about the latest in bomb detection methods and tools.

Angus was finishing up telling Spike about one of the latest gadget he had gotten "Yeah, it is so sensitive it puts the Mark4000 to shame. I also found this little tool to be so useful." From his pocket pulled out and showed Spike a small back box with a numeric display and a small lead hanging from one corner of it.

Spike glanced quickly at it then back to the road. "Just what the hell is that?" He was intrigued by the tool.

Angus motioned for Spike to mute his comlink and did so himself. He teased "Classified, military grade tech. I really shouldn't have showed you."

That hooked Spike, ever interested in the latest bomb tech. "Aw man, come on. What is it and what does it do?"

"It's really a one use item. They usually blow up." Angus said drawing out the explanation.

Sam had pulled him aside just before they had headed out to the trucks and asked him to talk to Spike about the latest tech. He had said that since Lou's death Spike had not wanted anything to do with bombs and had even abandoned Babycakes. Sam thought if Angus could lure him back into a conversation it might help Spike regain his passion for the subject.

"Why do they blow up?" Spike asked.

He smiled as he expounded "Well you see. Some bright inventor realized that us bomb techs often run out of time. If you attach this lead to the timer mechanism it will give an extra fifteen seconds before the explosion. It can mean the difference between life and death; giving enough time to clear outta there if nothing else works."

Spike said "Awesome. Wish SRU had those."

He could think of at least five times something like that would have been extremely useful. Luckily he only had concussions to show for the times he cut it too short. An extra fifteen seconds could make a huge difference. Two of the five times he remembered he could have actually defused it and prevented the explosion.

Spike's basic bomb kit was sitting on the seat between them. Angus smiled devilishly as he slipped the device the kit and said "You can't tell anyone where you got it or what it does. If you do I get to disassemble Babycakes. Deal?"

Spike's eyes were eager and wide open and a huge smile was on his face "Deal. No one will ever know. But you'll be dead if you touch Babycakes."

They both laughed and unmuted the mics. Angus thought mission accomplished.

Daphne Warrant Call

Silent arrival was necessary. Ed had selected an approach that limited exposure to the team. However there were areas where the team would be visible to anyone in the large farmhouse. Jules and Russ were designated Sierra One and Two. They had dropped both off a ways back near a grove of trees and a small barn. Jules would be on the barn and Russ would find a perch in the trees.

The plan was that Greg would stay in the command truck to coordinate. The remainder of the team and unit were paired up one SRU and one JTF2. Sam and Winds would head for the back of the farmhouse. Their destination was the back porch that ran the length of the second floor. Spike and Angus location would be the ground level of the back. Wordy and Daniel were assigned the left side of the building while Hal and Leah got the right. Ed and Blaze were entry point through the front door. Before entry each team would recon the rooms in their target area.

As the team geared up Ed called out "Sierra One, Sierra Two are you in position?"

"Sierra One in position. No visuals of subject or others, no movement in upper level" Jules replied.

Jules then wiped the sweat from her forehead and a weird thought crossed her mind. Her mother used to tell her 'girls mist, boys sweat'. She laughed inwardly when she thought, well mom, you were wrong I'm definitely sweating my ass off today.

Russ called out "No targets in lower level."

Greg bristled at the use of target but Russ was military. Needing to set the tone for the JTF2 guys he said "SRU uses subject. Connect. Respect, Protect. Let's keep the peace; goal is for everyone to go home unharmed today."

Team One snickered.

Wordy chuckled as he said "Boss a little late for that one today."

Greg looked at him and saw the bruised jaw and thought yeah a little late for that today. He pulled his hat off and wiped his head. Definitely not a day we want to be outside long either. "Ed ready to go?"

Ed instructed "Move out."

The pairs stealthily moved out, fully armed with MP5.

Wordy reported "Boss, Red One clear." Then he and Daniel ducked down and moved under the window to the next room.

Leah whispered "Green One, single male asleep in a chair."

Moving to the edge of the full length sliding glass door that opened to the family room in the back Spike scanned the room then called "Sarge, Black One clear." He and Angus had no choice but to quickly pass the sliding door to recon the kitchen.

Sam and Winds had made it silently up the stairs and were about to check the first bedroom when the door to the patio opened and a little boy skipped out. He was no more than three maybe four or five. It was hard to tell.

The little boy looked up and saw two police officers with guns.

Sam was struck dumb as he stared at the boy. He had jet black hair. But the facial features and those eyes. They were unmistakably only one man's. His heart broke. He never knew, he never knew.

Winds noticed that Blondie was lost looking at the boy. He quickly moved and grabbed the little boy and clamped a hand over his mouth to keep him quiet.

The boy did not make a sound and just stared at Sam.

Sam shook himself out of his stupor just as an adult exited the door. Sam raised his weapon and called out firmly but not loudly, not wanting to alert the other occupants of the house "SRU, hands where I can see them. Police."

The woman froze at the voice. She knew that gravelly tone. Her hands slowly making themselves seen out to the sides palms forward.

Sam continued "On your knees."

She complied slowly, her eyes not leaving his.

When she was down, Sam moved around behind her and cuffed her. He called out "Boss subject in custody."

Greg said "Good work Sam."

Ed called out "Sam stay there until the rest of the house is secured."

"Copy" Sam said as he stared at Daphne Blain.

Sam helped her rise and stood holding her arm. There was no mistaking it was her. There was no mistaking who the father of the boy was either.

His body shook as he thought about it. Sam was unable to put together a coherent sentence. There was too much hurt and joy was flooding through him all at once.

Winds had been shocked when he saw the boy but a smile was now firmly planted on his face. Damn those eyes could belong to no other. He looked at Blondie then back at Daphne. Why had she kept this a secret?

Sam heard Ed call out "Scene secured. Sam, Winds hold position. Blaze and I are on our way. Jules, Russ move in."

Seeing Sam could not respond Winds replied "Roger."

Sam finally found his voice and choked out "Why did you never say anything?"

Daphne was so shocked to see Sam and Winds she had lost the ability to speak. They were not in a military uniforms and that confused her.

She was in too deep of cover to contact anyone she knew. Daphne was unable to even keep tabs on anyone she knew. She had been completely dark.

The only thing she had risked was to name her son after his father. She had been able to keep him safe until recently. Daphne knew she had to come in from the cold once he had started reciting his full name to anyone who asked. It was too risky now.

Had she known she was pregnant, she would have never accepted the assignment in the first place. She felt guilt keeping the boy away from his father. She was glad it was over and he could be part of his life now. Every boy needed their dad.

"I couldn't" was all Daphne finally got out.

The sound of pounding boots on stairs alerted Sam of Ed's and Blaze's approach.

Winds back was to Blaze so Blaze only saw Daphne.

Daphne saw Blaze and was stunned that he too was in an SRU uniform.

Blaze stopped directly in front of Daphne. He didn't know what to say as emotions rolled through him. He finally opted to pull her into a rib crushingly tight hug as tears started down his face. His baby sister was truly alive.

Winds had released his hand from the boy's mouth as soon as Ed said the scene was secure. All of Team One had made it up the stairs and were on the porch. They were not surprised to see Blaze hugging his sister. They had initially smiled when they saw that.

But quickly they noticed Sam's expression as he held onto Daphne's arm. His focus was not on her but on a little boy in Winds arms. There was an utterly stunned look on Sam's face.

Sam finally released Daphne's arm and walked to Winds. The little boy smiled at him. Team One watched intently as Sam reached out and the boy willingly came into his arms.

Very softly and choked with emotion Sam said "My name is Sam. What's yours?"

The little boy smiled and happily chimed out "I'm named after my daddy. I'm Matthew Benjamin Hunter Jr., but everyone just calls me Matt."

Sweat and tears rolled down Sam's face as he hugged the boy. Those eyes, Matt's eyes. He never knew, Matt never knew he was a father. Oh God, Matt had a son.